Jeremy McGovern Biography

Jeremy McGovern wins the John Worsfold Medal as the Eagles' best and fairest for 2024.

Jeremy McGovern must be medically cleared to fly home to Perth after suffering a punctured lung and bruised rib against the Demons in Melbourne.

"The club is working on arrangements for Jeremy to return home as soon as possible following medical advice," the Eagles' football manager Gavin Bell said.

"'Gov’s' health and wellbeing is our priority and his return to playing will be determined in due course, but at this stage we are not expecting him to be available against Brisbane on Sunday."

Jeremy McGovern is taken to hospital after suffering damage to his ribs and lung in the West Coast's loss to Melbourne.

Luke Shuey will lead West Coast as captain for a fourth consecutive season in 2023.

He will be supported in 2023 by vice-captains Jeremy McGovern and club champion Tom Barrass.

"Luke has enjoyed strong support from the player group over the last three years and that sentiment carried through in the process this season," general manager of football Gavin Bell said.

"Jeremy has been a vice-captain to Luke for each of the last three years and he has been joined by Tom who has demonstrated his leadership qualities, both on and off-field, for several years."

Ruckman Nic Naitanui, who managed just eight matches last year, due to injury chose not to pursue an official leadership role after being elevated to the vice-captaincy for the first time last year.

A rib injury sustained in round 14 of 2022 allowed Jeremy McGovern to get a head start on his off-season program.

"I would be in career-best shape. I hate doing that and running around making big statements, but I'm feeling great and feeling the best I have this time of year," McGovern said.

"I could get a good base of running before the off-season, which is a blessing I guess. You take every positive you can out of it, and that was one. It gave me a bit of a run up into the off-season."

Jeremy McGovern won't play again in 2022 as he recovers from a serious rib injury.

McGovern copped a knee to the ribs in round 14's clash against Geelong, and underwent surgery to insert a plate to support several broken ribs.

Jeremy McGovern has trimmed down while in isolation, making the most of a new fitness program following the shutdown of the 2020 AFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He's looking good, he's in as good a shape as I've ever seen him. I think he's a big one for the remote program. He might be advocating for that next year," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.

Elliot Yeo and Jack Darling have been elevated into the Eagles' leadership group under new captain Luke Shuey.

"They're both wonderful footballers, but sometimes it takes a little bit more time, we all develop at different rates in terms of leadership," Eagles manager Craig Vozzo said.

"Jack is a quieter, one-on-one type mentor. He has a terrific knowledge of the game and is able to pass that on one-on-one through our forward line.

"Elliot has developed into one of our best players and one of the better players in the game, and is still forming his way of leadership and it's going really well."

The group has expanded from six to seven in 2020, with former captain Shannon Hurn stepping away from an official leadership role.

Shuey will be supported by vice-captains Josh Kennedy and Jeremy McGovern, with ruckman Nic Naitanui and midfielder Andrew Gaff rounding out the group.

Harris Andrews says he has modeled his game after Alex Rance and Jeremy McGovern.

"(Rance) has probably got a little bit more athleticism than me, but I've watched countless hours of him and Jeremy McGovern, and the way they go about their footy," Andrews said.

"And certainly taking that next step as a defender, and not just locking down your bloke, but your ability to win the ball back is something in the modern day which is extremely important.

"Watching footage of those guys and how they position themselves at stoppages and the way they work with their teammates to create opportunities - it cannot be understated how important it is to have a good back six (defenders)."

Nine players received more than $1 million in the 2019 AFL season, with Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe the standout earners.

It is believed Martin and Fyfe each earnt more than $1.3 million on 2019 accounts, well clear of the game's other million-dollar players headed by West Coast's Jeremy McGovern, GWS's Jeremy Cameron and Sydney's Lance Franklin.

Others in, or near, the million-dollar club include the Giants' Josh Kelly, Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury, Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield, Dog Marcus Bontempelli, Eagle Andrew Gaff, and Carlton's Patrick Cripps.

Jeremy McGovern will be on modified duties when West Coast's senior players return to pre-season training after going under the knife to fix a heel complaint.

"Jeremy, unfortunately, had a little bit of ongoing heel pain during the off-season and we decided the best thing for him was to go and have some surgery of his heel," Eagles senior physiotherapist Paul Tucker said.

Jeremy McGovern's one-match rough conduct suspension is upheld at the AFL Tribunal following a complicated hearing,

McGovern had been offered a one-match ban last Friday, having shoved Essendon's Matt Guelfi over the boundary line and into a fence. The incident left the Bombers youngster with concussion, as well as bruised ribs having also struck a chair on the edge of the field.

The Eagles argued two issues at the Tribunal. The first was that McGovern's actions were reasonable in the circumstances, while suggesting that the presence of the security guard's chair impacted upon Guelfi's ability to protect his head from hitting the fence.

However, the Tribunal agreed with the AFL's position that the location of the chair shouldn't change the fact that McGovern's actions in pushing Guelfi were unreasonable.

West Coast names an unchanged leadership group for 2019, with Shannon Hurn remaining skipper for a fifth season.

Hurn will be supported by joint vice-captains Josh Kennedy and Luke Shuey for a third consecutive year.

Star ruckman Nic Naitanui, who was elevated to the group before last season, retains his position alongside Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Gaff after they turned their backs on free agency and re-signed with the Eagles last year.

Jeremy McGovern has revealed he was a last-second inclusion for the Grand Final parade after the AFL insisted he take part.

McGovern had hoped to miss the event as he continued his intensive recovery from internal bleeding and torn obliques, but was forced to catch an Uber to the parade, arriving well after his teammates.

"We were planning on not going (to the parade) because obviously it is a two-hour thing and we were going to try to get a bit more work on [my injuries] before training," he said.

"The AFL said no so I just had to rock up late in the Uber, which was nice. It is what it is and it worked out."

Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern admits it hurt to not have been picked for the Crows' 2017 Grand Final side.

"It's not very often you get the opportunity to play in a Grand Final, so that one hurt me quite a bit," McGovern said.

"There was a bit of jealousy knowing that Jezza (brother Jeremy McGovern) got to play in one and actually win one. So that burnt me for a while."

Mitch's brother Jeremy tasted the ultimate success again in 2018 as a premiership player for the Eagles.

"It was heart-warming for me to see him win on the day. But there was a lot of burning blood inside that he got that opportunity and ended up winning it," Mitch said.

"It gives me that drive to help this footy club get there."

Jeremy McGovern reveals he broke his ribs during the Grand Final before taking his game-changing intercept mark late in the Grand Final.

McGovern was already in serious doubt for the decider after he tore muscles off his hip and suffered internal bleeding following a heavy knock in the preliminary final from Melbourne forward Christian Petracca.

The 26-year-old spent the night after the Demons victory in hospital on a morphine drip and was urinating blood during the week, sparking concerns about serious kidney damage.

"I probably didn't think I was going to play. Early days it (the pain) was 10 (out of 10). Throughout the week it was 10. I probably played at about three, three or four depending on when I got hit," McGovern told Channel Nine.

McGovern needed six injections just to get onto the MCG on Grand Final day and added to his considerable duress when he broke his ribs during the epic five-point victory over Collingwood.

"I copped another couple of hits in the back and cracked my other ribs," he said.

"I don't know what time of the game it was, but I've ended up cracking those, so that was great. You've got to love your footy."

Jeremy McGovern says he would love to play alongside his brother, Mitch McGovern, after the Adelaide forward requested a trade following the end of the Crows' 2018 season.

"I'd love him to come back, I've told him that. So he knows that, but it's up to him at the end of the day," Jeremy said.

"It's Mitch's decision and his career. I'm there for him with whatever he needs, but I'm not having too much input. It's up to him."

Jeremy McGovern kicks a goal after the siren to win a thriller for the Eagles at Adelaide Oval against Port Adelaide.

Luke Shuey, who famously kicked a goal after the siren against Port Adelaide the 2017 elimination final, had a quick word to the Eagles next big hero.

"Shuey put the pressure on me before I even kicked it because he obviously dobbed one last year," McGovern said.

"He told me it was my turn. He had a big smile on his face and he said come on mate, 'It's your turn – put it through' and luckily I did."

West Coast has secured the signature of free agent Jeremy McGovern on a five-year extension believed to be around $5m.

"I love the people at the club, the direction the club is taking and it’s exciting to be a part of that," McGovern said.

"I’m grateful for the opportunity the club has given me and it was a gut decision to extend my contract. It would have been nice to have locked it away a bit earlier, but these things take time."

Jeremy McGovern opens up on the toughest decision of his life, saying the call on his football future is far more complicated than simply taking the biggest offer on the table.

The star West Coast defender is hot property on the restricted free agency market, and has attracted significant interest from Victorian clubs and Fremantle.

"It's more about your values because most people you speak to will say 'just go and take the biggest offer you've got and so be it', but I think there's a bit more to it for me than that," McGovern said.

Knowing the next contract extension could be his last, McGovern has plenty to weigh up.

"It's obviously a massive decision. It's a good decision, but it doesn't feel like a good decision, it feels like a bit of a burden at the moment," he said.

"You've got to try and remind yourself it's a good thing."

Jeremy McGovern says the lure of playing with his brother Mitch McGovern will not influence his decision on his next contract.

"We're not going to manipulate anything to try and play with each other. We can play together after our footy career is over back down in Albany," Jeremy said while denying media reports that Mitch would seek a trade from the Crows at the end of 2018.

"Mitch is in contract (until 2020) and the last I spoke to him he was enjoying it at Adelaide – I don't know where all that stuff came from."

Jeremy McGovern has reportedly been targeted by several Melbourne clubs dangling big-money offers in front of the star intercept defender.

West Coast's crosstown rival Fremantle has also been linked to the in-demand 26-year-old, whose father Andrew played 63 games for the Dockers.

Mitch McGovern backs his brother, Jeremy McGovern, in deciding to put off contract talks until the end of the season.

"Smart man, I did it last year," Mitch said.

"Just put it on the backburner, focus on your footy. Let people behind the scenes deal with it and you show what you're made of. It's a better way to do it."

Mitch admitted to enjoying the idea of playing with his brother at Adelaide.

"It would be very nice to play with him," Mitch said.

"I've been in his ear, but I'm not too sure what he's going to do."

Restricted free agent Jeremy McGovern delays contract talks with West Coast until the end of the season.

"I'm probably going to put it on hold I think until the end of the year. I've spoken to my manager about it," McGovern told Perth radio station 92.9.

"We'll reassess it through the bye and then at the end of the year we'll probably look at it. Put it back to then, everybody can just get over it and let me play footy."

An extra season is reported to be the main sticking point Jeremy McGovern's negotiations with West Coast, with the key defender seeking a six-year deal and the club offering five.

Out-of-contract Jeremy McGovern says his preference is to stay at West Coast, but he wants the deal to be a long one.

McGovern is happy in his home state of Western Australia, and is expecting a baby with his partner in the coming months.

"It's probably that long-term security - I reckon that's what everyone would be wanting," McGovern said.

"I'm still in negotiations with the club. We are still chatting and trying to get things sorted. It's just taking its time - like anyone else."

West Coast defender Tom Barrass believes out-of-contract teammate Jeremy McGovern is worthy of a massive payday and is confident that his star teammate will come to terms with West Coast.

"He's just one of those players, he doesn't even know that he's doing it but he's chopping up non-stop," Barrass said.

"He's so hard to beat one-on-one. He's a big brick … I 100 per cent think he's worth the money.

"I'm sure he'll come to terms with West Coast and settle on a fair deal."

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says the Eagles are desperate to re-sign Jeremy McGovern amid reports of Victorian clubs circling the star defender.

"We know he's an A-grade talent, he's a dual All Australian, so we're doing everything we can to try and keep him here," Simpson said.

"That's where we're at, at the moment, I'm not going to give you the running commentary on it all."

Robbie Gray is set to miss the Power's opening-round clash against Fremantle at Adelaide Oval after being slapped with a one-match suspension for rough conduct.

Gray was charged by match review officer Michael Christian for his high bump on West Coast's Jeremy McGovern during the JLT Community Series, with the hit graded as careless conduct with medium impact to the head.

Nic Naitanui is promoted to the Eagles' leadership group for 2018.

"I think having the past year off has really improved my leadership," Naitanui said.

"Obviously not being able to have an impact on the field, I’ve had to find different avenues.

"Finding some stuff off-field with some of the players has really built my leadership over the past couple of months and year in particular."

Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Gaff have retained their positions supporting skipper Shannon Hurn, plus deputies Luke Shuey and Josh Kennedy.

Elliot Yeo wins the John Worsfold medal as West Coast's best and fairest for the 2017 season.

Yeo polled 197 votes to edge out Jeremy McGovern by six, with Luke Shuey (180) rounding out the top three.

"At the end of 2016 I had a fair few things that I wanted to work on. It was a disappointing year for myself," Yeo said.

"It (form turnaround) definitely came from a lot of hard work, but it also came from having a mentor such as 'Hick' (assistant coach Adrian Hickmott), he's been absolutely phenomenal for myself this year.

"He's one of those coaches who keeps you accountable but also pushes you to the limits he thinks you're capable of."

Jeremy McGovern wants to be used as a ruckman this AFL season, but he doubts his wish will be granted.

"It's my favourite position," McGovern said.

"It's not my best position, I don't think. But I'd love to play it at some stage if I have to. I just love it. You get to run around and do what you want pretty much.

"Simmo (Simpson) knows I'd love to play it. But I'm not a ruckman. I wish I was a bit taller and a bit stronger."

Shannon Hurn will captain West Coast for a third straight year in 2017, while former Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell will provide support as a member of the leadership group.

Dynamic midfielder Luke Shuey has been elevated to co-vice captain alongside dual Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy.

Star duo Jeremy McGovern and Andrew Gaff have also been added to the leadership group with Eric Mackenzie, who was the club's best and fairest in 2014 before requiring a knee reconstruction early the following year, the only omission from last year's group.

Matt Priddis rounds out the seven-man group, which was decided by a player vote, before being ticked off by the football department and then the board.

"Shannon Hurn has been a terrific leader since his appointment as captain three years ago and he has great respect from his teammates," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.

"Over the last couple of years Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff and Jeremy McGovern have certainly grown within the group and it has been reflected in the player vote.

"Clearly Josh Kennedy and Matt Priddis have been outstanding leaders for a long time and to have someone of Sam Mitchell's calibre at our disposal will be invaluable."

Jeremy McGovern says he still has ambitions to spend more time in the ruck.

"Ruck is my favourite position, it's probably not my best position, but if I had the choice I'd love to play there," McGovern said.

"I want to give Simmo the option, if he needs it, to be a bit more versatile with going up forward or in the ruck."

Jeremy McGovern says he would love for brother Mitch McGovern to return to Western Australia.

Speculation is rife that Mitch could seek a move home to play for the Eagles or Fremantle following reports he has delayed contract talks with the Crows.

"I actually don't think we've ever played together. He's my brother, so I would love to play with him," Jeremy McGovern said.

"I'll let him know that I'm pretty keen to play with him for sure, but at the end of the day it's his career, it's up to him."

Mitch burst onto the scene in a potent Adelaide forward line last year, booting 32 majors from 23 games – including both of the Crows' finals – after making his debut in round one.

"I wasn't too surprised," Jeremy said of his brother's maiden season.

"I've watched him obviously since he was a little fella and I've always thought he had pretty good talent.

"I thought he was pretty unlucky in his first year to miss out on the draft."

Jeremy McGovern says he needs to work on his durability to give West Coast the option to use him in the ruck more next season.

"So I can get around the ground a bit and give Simmo a few more options," McGovern said.

"Obviously, if he wants to throw me forward or in the ruck, I can go there and play well there, whereas I'm probably a bit sore at the moment. Something like that I'll probably work on."

West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he will decide where Jeremy McGovern plays, despite the Eagles youngster wanting an opportunity to move into the ruck and on-ball this season.

"I'll tell him where he's needs to play," Simpson said.

"He wants to play on-ball as well.

"It's great that he says that but we'll see how we go. The one thing I do know, he'd be a different type of ruckman than most."

Jeremy McGovern signs a two-year contract extension with West Coast that will see him remain at the Eagles until at least the end of the 2018 season.

Crows draftee Mitch McGovern hopes to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Jeremy McGovern, who made his debut in 2014 for West Coast this year, playing 13 games.

"Just seeing the path that Jeremy has taken, it's helped me a lot," McGovern said.

"I know what to expect now and it just makes the AFL environment a lot more comfortable.

"Jeremy has always just said to be myself; don't try to change who you are and always just try your best in everything."

Jeremy McGovern signs a two-year contract extension with the Eagles.

"I got off to a bit of a rocky start when I turned up out of shape for pre-season training, but 'Simmo' had an honest chat with me and he has helped me turn things around," McGovern said.

"He has been very supportive and I really appreciate the chances he has given me. I'm also grateful to the club for sticking by me through the tough times."

Jeremy McGovern makes his AFL debut for West Coast at Docklands Stadium with 8 disposals (6 kicks and 2 handballs), 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hitouts and a goal in a 3-point loss to Carlton.